All relationships, no matter how wonderful, experience phases of doubt, anger, pain and frustration. Here are indicators of a strong relationship, helping you determine its healthiness.
If you’ve been married, are married or in a relationship, you’d know that Maroon 5 was right when they said “It’s not always rainbows and butterflies. It’s compromise that moves us along”
Marriage involves being on the same team and navigating life’s challenges with your best friend (plus the intimate aspect). It encompasses highs, lows, and the in-between phases—moments of passion, times of detachment, and everything in between. Ultimately, the bond endures, regardless of the fluctuations.
In these lukewarm phases, it is normal to wonder if you ended up with the “one” and if maybe your relationship is more nay than yay.
To answer that question in your head, it is important that you know the signs of a healthy marriage.
12 Signs You Are in a Healthy Marriage
1. You Have Your Own Space
It’s intriguing that space plays a crucial role in fostering closeness, despite the apparent paradox. Being in love doesn’t necessitate spending every moment together; true growth occurs when individuals cultivate their own hobbies, interests, and friendships independently.
2. You Have Fights
Having disagreements implies having principles you stand for, regardless of others’ opinions. Expressing your stance in a fair and respectful manner is healthy. The goal is to emerge from the disagreement with a better understanding of your partner, avoiding damage to the relationship through name-calling or belittling. Additionally, offering apologies when you’re wrong is crucial.
3. You Have the Same Core Values
This aspect is highly significant to prevent regretting decisions later on. While many people may experience initial attraction, differences in core beliefs and values can lead to the fading of relationships after the initial phase.
4. You Learn to Let Some Things Go
Close familiarity can lead to irritation, arguments, and the recollection of both positive and negative moments. Discussing these issues and releasing them is crucial. The strongest relationships often involve individuals who are skilled at forgiving and letting go of grievances.
5. You Actually Like Your Partner
Beyond the intimacy and the actual living together part of being married, it is important that you actually like your partner as a human being. Would you be friends with him if marriage hadn’t been your destiny? Would his qualities still be admirable? Do you have moments where you laugh together and enjoy each other?
6. You are Kind
Love is patient, love is kind. The Bible’s most overused verse in sappy rom-coms is actually a pretty good guideline for marriage if you think about it. If you find that you are treating people you barely know with more respect, care and kindness than your man, you need to ask yourself why this is happening. Your partner deserves the best of you.
7. You Want Each Other
S*x is important. Intimacy is more important! Intimacy is about companionship, bonding, little inside jokes, spooning, familiarity and basically all those warm fuzzy things about love that every human being needs. A healthy relationship is a mix of good times both in and out of the bedroom!
8. You Have No Secrets
Secrecy isn’t fair. If you feel the need to hide things from your partner, it is a sign that communication is weak between the two of you, that there is lack of respect for commitment or that you do not feel comfortable being yourself in the relationship. All these things are dangerous for your relationship and the sooner they are tackled the better. Which brings us to our next point.
9. You Speak Your Mind
Feeling like there’s no one to talk to or that your partner won’t understand what you need to say is one of the most lonely feelings ever. A good relationship is one where you and your partner are a team and can do anything to help the other feel better, including hearing them out. Similarly if you aren’t listening to your partner, now’s a good time to begin!
10. There is Trust
Underscoring the significance of trust is crucial. Insecurities can erode relationships, giving rise to more substantial issues. Strive to maintain openness and minimize stress in your relationship to prevent trust issues, as repairing them tends to be a time-consuming process.
11. You Fill in For Each Other
Love manifests in supporting each other when one is unable to fulfill their usual responsibilities. For instance, if your partner is typically responsible for cooking but is occupied with a stressful presentation, you willingly step in to take over. The essence is to consistently strive to make each other’s lives easier.
12. Your Relationship is Your Happy Place
At the end of the day you want to come home to your partner and just unwind together. When life gets stressful, all you can do is wait to vent and have him comfort you or give you a solution or just listen. This is a big sign of a healthy relationship.
Remember, the dynamics of every relationship and love language are different but these basic signs will indicate which way your marriage is heading. Be the best version of yourselves and genuinely look out for each other because you are family and family comes first.
